Bridging Borders Through Model United Nations: An Interview with Abhav R Nair

Exploring the Growth of MUNs in India, Challenges in Organizing Conferences, and the Future of MUN Culture

On March 9, 2025, the first of a series of interviews led by SGMUN with MUN associations all over the globe took place. We had the immense pleasure of having Abhav R Nair from the Kerala region in south India as our first guest. He is an engineering student and the Secretary-General of Kerala’s first international MUN conference. He is also the founder of the International Matrix Foundation (IMF), an organization dedicated to fostering academic simulations worldwide. Throughout our conversation, we discussed the challenges and successes of organizing an MUN, the unique aspects of the MUN culture in India, and the future of MUNs in an evolving global landscape.

Organizing the First International MUN in South India

Abhav recently organized Kerala’s first in-person international MUN, held at Rajdhani Business School. The conference was a significant milestone as it hosted a delegation from Malaysia (UITM University) and had over 130 delegates. However, organizing the event was far from easy. Like with any MUN matter, there were challenging hurdles to overcome on the way to success:

• Timing conflicts: Many potential delegates were unable to attend due to school board exams.

• Scepticism about private MUNs: Some students hesitated to join, fearing possible scams.

• Funding difficulties: Despite significant outreach, securing sponsors was challenging as the conference fell at the end of the financial year, making it difficult for companies to allocate budgets.

In the end, the generous assistance from the Rajadhani Business School, which funded the entire event from delegate kits to logistics and entertainment and meticulous logistics planning and a strong focus on delegate experiences enabled them to organise a flawless and memorable event. Setting the highest cash prize for an MUN In Kerala, offering ₹200,000 ($2,400) in total and ₹15,000 ($180) for the Best Delegate, allowed them to stand out even more.

The Culture of MUNs in India

India’s MUN scene is vibrant and growing, with strong participation across different disciplines. According to Abhav, this is what makes the scene so unique:

• MUNs are not limited to university students—even 7th-grade students participate.

• Diverse backgrounds: Delegates range from law and engineering students to medical students, highlighting the broad appeal of MUNs.

• Highly competitive nature: Unlike some regions where MUNs focus on diplomacy, Indian MUNs often see delegates fact-checking speeches and raising procedural points to gain an edge.

• Incentives matter: Unlike in Europe and North America, where cash prizes are rare, many Indian MUNs offer significant financial rewards, which attract talented delegates.

• Intra-MUN (Internal University MUN Conferences): Conferences taking place internally at one University to provide a training ground for delegates.

  
  

The Role of MUN Chairs: More Than Just Moderators

In MUN having a good chair that can guide the committee through debate in a constructive and productive way is just as important as having well informed delegates. As an experienced chair, Abhav believes that chairs should do more than just moderate debates. It is their job to guide first-time delegates as they embark on their first MUN experience, ensure fair play to prevent experienced delegates from manipulating newcomers and to encourage constructive debate rather than procedural tactics.

The Future of MUNs: Evolution or Decline?

As global diplomacy continues to evolve, so too does the role of Model United Nations (MUNs). While MUNs have long been a simulation of the United Nations' decision-making processes, there is ongoing debate about how their relevance might shift in response to broader international developments.

According to Abhav, the UN itself is facing new challenges, with some high-level diplomatic negotiations—such as those related to geopolitical conflicts—taking place outside of traditional UN frameworks. While this does not diminish the importance of the UN, it does raise questions about how multilateral diplomacy is practiced and taught.

At the same time, MUNs are more than just a reflection of the UN—they are a powerful educational tool that teaches students the art of negotiation, diplomacy, and leadership. Even if international relations continue to evolve, the skills and experiences gained through MUNs remain highly valuable.

Additionally, technological advancements are influencing the MUN landscape. The rise of virtual MUNs has made conferences more accessible to participants across the world, increasing diversity and cross-cultural engagement. While in-person conferences remain the gold standard for fostering diplomatic interactions, virtual MUNs provide an opportunity to connect delegates globally, enhancing skill development and exposure to different debating styles.

Looking ahead, the future of MUNs will likely depend on their ability to adapt. Whether through expanding partnerships, integrating new technologies, or focusing on global policy education, MUNs continue to offer young leaders a platform to develop and apply their diplomatic skills in a rapidly changing world.

A Personal Perspective: Most Memorable MUN Experience

Among all his experiences, organizing Kerala’s first international MUN stands out as his most memorable moment. However, he also cherishes high-pressure negotiations when drafting and passing resolutions as a delegate.

If he could attend any MUN in the world, he would choose New York due to its prestige and history in international diplomacy.

When asked which world leader (alive or dead) he would invite as a guest speaker, Abhav chose Steve Jobs. While Jobs wasn’t a political figure, his philosophy of questioning the status quo aligns with the critical thinking and negotiation skills that MUNs promote.

Final Thoughts: Collaboration Beyond Borders

One of the most valuable aspects of MUNs is their ability to foster international collaboration and expose delegates to different diplomatic styles and perspectives. Abhav sees great potential in expanding cross-cultural exchanges, where students from diverse backgrounds can learn from one another and build long-lasting global networks.

It is fascinating to see how MUNs across the world share a common foundation of diplomacy and debate, yet each region brings its own unique traditions, incentives, and approaches to the table. This diversity is what makes the global MUN community so dynamic and engaging, constantly evolving while staying true to its core mission of fostering dialogue, negotiation, and leadership.

We sincerely thank Abhav R Nair for sharing his insights and experiences with us. His contributions to the MUN landscape are truly inspiring, and we look forward to staying in touch and following his future endeavours.